Machine for making sheet-metal tubes.



H, 'HIGGIN. MACHINE FOB MAKINGSHEET METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION run; we. a, 1909.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

a sums-enm- 1.

Wztrigsses 1 q H.' HIGGIN.

MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1909.

Patented Aug. 9, 1910( a IBHEETS-BHEBT 2.

T Va'inesses I H. HIGGIN. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION IILBD AUG. 9, 1900. Patented Aug. 9, 1910.

a SHEETS-SHEET a.

. k J10 J9 muuunnu I I III I H I J H. HIGGIN. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1909.

' Patented Aug.'9, 1910.

Altar/deg.

m'fnesses.

H. HIGG-IN. I MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL TUBES.

APPLICATION FILED AUG. 9, 1909.

' Batented Aug. 9, 1910.

BBEEETB-SHEET 6. I

Inventor A tin/wag] -H. HIGGIN. MACHINE FOR MAKING SHEET METAL TUBES. APPLIOATIOI FILED we. a, 1909,

6 MEETS-SHEET B.

fig 2 Elan/RD W 34 IaizentedAugi 9; 1910.

' 'the metal sheet.

' To all whom'it and?com-amt w Be'it k'nown thatI, HENRY HI'GGI'N, a citi- TES' rarnnrrorrion;

11mm? Hioortn or nnwronr, xnn'rnoitr.

. zen of the United State's,a nd' a resident of the city ofNewpoz-t, in the county of Campbell and State of'Kentuck certain'new and useful m rovements in Machines for Making Sheet:- eta]. Tubes, of which the following 1s a specification. i The several features of my invention a d .thevarious advantages resulting-from the1r use conjointly or otherwise will be a parent from the following descriptionandc aims. In the accompanying drawings forming a chine which. in Fig. 1. Fig 4 is a View partly injsection tubin L the p ane of the dotted line 8, 8,.ofFig. 3., ,This Fig.,8show I part of this specificationand' in which simiar letters of reference indicate correspond- .ing parts,--Figure. 1 shows a plan view of amachine embodying my invention. Fig. 2

is an elevation of that side of the machine which is nearest'the spectatorjinzFig. 1. Fig. 3 is aneevation of-that side of the mas farthe'st from thespec'tator and partly in elevation'ofthat.endlportion of themachine which is at 'thelri ht hand in Fig. 3. The section is'a vertica one taken in the plane of the dotted line 4,4, of Fig; 1,

'and includes only certain of'theup'per parts of said endportlon. .Fig. 5 is a view partly: in elevation,

butmo'stly in section of that pair ofrolls which forms the initialbends in "The section, is taken in the plane of the dotted line 5, 5, of Fi 6 is a view in, elevation 'of the; idler r0. 1 which holds, the metal in osi'tion'for enteringbetweenthe second pair of rolls, namely those which alter a portion of the said ig itial bends in the said metal sheet. Fig: 7 p is an elevation of 'the second pair of rolls, and

which act uponthe sheet metal having received said initial bendsand change certain of. these bends in the course of preparing the Fig. 8. is a sectional view taken in the mechanism for advancing the alrea y bent-metal from the saidgsecond pair of rolls on to the third air I "of rolls. F 1g.= 9 is anelevationpf the t 'ird pair of rolls that positively act upon the bent sheet metal to impart to itmore complete for ation. Fig. 10'is an elevation ofadevicestill further bending the bent metal to of a perfectly round tube.

ward the sha J Fi 11 is an e 'ev'ation of the fourth pair of 3701s for imparting a perfect tubular form,

roundinnross sect on tothe bentsheet'metal' tube. Fig. 12 is, a elevat on .ozf the.

Specificationof Letters Patent. lpplicaticn'flled August 9', 1909; Serial It'd. 511g;

, have invented g. a; Fi

i 92 I n t-0mm: ronvuhxme' seem-m mmies.

I Pawnee Aug. 9, 1910,.

mechanism which operates upon the already formed tube,*to impart t'oboth edge portions osing, edge ressurezin t e direction-'60 of the'tube, that is, to th'e op portions an. elastic of each other, so t at each opposin edge shall press against the other, and orm a;

perfect tube, ready for brazin Int-his figure, a mid portion of-the mac ine is broken away to disclose the sheet metal-tube a'ndits 5 which faces toward the left in said Fig. .12.

Fig. 14 is a view of that .ortion of the machine Which is near the let 12. This View is partly in elevation and partly in sections-the section being a central vertical one, in; the direction of the .80" length of the machine: Fig. 15.is aview of i the top of thecore and of-itsconnecting) rod, the middle portionpofthe saidrod broken awayand removed, and: the front end portion of the rod being brought toward 8,5

the rear for. economy of space in the drawing. Fig. 16 is a sideelevationpf the core and rodshown in Fig. '15; F1 17 1s a;

transverse section of the core ta en in the a plane of the dotted line '17," 1'7, of Fzgglfi, .90

with the tubular sheet metal blank surrounding the said core. Fig..l8 shows a transverse section of the core taken in the planeotthe dotted line 18, 18 ofFig. 16, with the tubular sheet metal blank sur- 9 rounding the core, and subjected to the action of" one of the rolls, the latter being shown in elevation; Fig. 19 shows a transverse section of the core, taken in the plane of the dotted line19, 19,0fjFig. 16, with the 9 tubular sheet metal'blank surrounding said core, said blank being shown subi'ected to the action of one ofthe rolls, the. atter being shown in elevation.- Fig. 20 is a transverse section of the core, taken in the-plane'ofthe dottedlines 20, 20, of-Fig.'16, with thetub'u-- '7 lar sheet 'metal blank'surrounding it, and com lete an tube. Fig.2]. is'a view a e dein-e evation and; partly n section ofvicese'mploye'd in. scarfing :the seam of the 1 ,t-ube. Fig. '22 isja iront elevation of the.

mechanism" shown in, Fig. 21, the arbor, the

'the most part 70 t hand end in Fig--.

eing

sheet metal tube and the core being shown in section, Fig. 23 is arear elevation of the mechanism shownin Fig. 21. Figs. 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30,31 and 32 are cross sections 5 of those portions of the sheet metal tubular blank which are respectively shown at the portions marked24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31 andl32 of Fig. 35. Fig. 33 is across section of that portion .of the said tubular blank, a completed tube, and which isshown at 33 in Fig. 35. Fig. .34 is across section of that portion of the tube-which is shown at 34 in Fig. 35. Fig. 35 is atop view of a strip of temporarilyremo'ved for this purpose.

made in one piece or in parts secured to I will now describe my invention in detail. A indicates the basal frame, that may be 1 gether.

. 5 grooves on guides D" in a supportingbrhcket or plateD. OIL. this bracket plate D- is :fixedta pillow block or-large lu' D. A

' shaft'D-"is rotatable in this block 2. 4. sid of the block this shift D is screw-- threaded, and on one side of'the block D I thethread is a lefthand screw "D and .on

.a- 'ri ghtaliandfscrew D means for rota'tingit, and" one such 6 is shown 'in thefljth'umb piece D Each screw mead shaft.v engages a female screw X in thatsemi-table Df to whichit isadj acent. -Thus a rotation of the said shaft D in one direction approximatesthe compound guides, 7 each consistmg of a' semi-table I), upright B, B B, B indicateupiright portions of the frame one of whose "0 cos is to support respectively certain. rolls, which operate to portions ofsthe framework,- which serve to perform other functions .and oflices which will e hereinafter apparent.

,At the front or mouth of-- the machine, I

. preferably locate. the preliminary guide.

This guide Diis, supported upon the framework C. This guide- D is composed of outer adjustable parts. A broad fiat table is presouter edge portion of each part 'D'- is an upports its upright. The preferred-means for connecting each piece Dsand-itsupfight D.- its m c; semi table D? are olts' D :Both 0 "these semi-.tables'D are slidable in Out- . the "other 'sideof this bloekfD the thread is means form the sheet'metal into a tube.

C, 0 9, C 0 indicate, other upright ent, composed of twopar'ts D D -At the The shaft has a wall D and the projection I), and a rotation of the said shaft in the opposite (lirec tion operates to separate the said compound guides. These guides can therefore be adjusted so that the space between the'upright' walls I), l) is substantially the same as the width of the sheet metal which is to'be made into tubing,- and the guides therefor can'be efficient.

The supporting bracket plate D is suitably secured tothe frametl C In'the present instance, the screws 1), 1) .constitute such means.

Next at the rear of the uide D are the forming roll E and the ormingroll 'F. These rolls are supported by the upright frame pieces B. The middle portion E, of the periphery of the roll E is concave,'and the outeror edge portions E, E? are convex. The middle portion F of the periphery of the opposing roll F is convex, and the outer portionsv F are respectively con cave.

passed between these rolls E and F. These rolls form the said blank into the shape shown in Fi 25.

At this point in the specification, '1 will describe the preferred mode of erecting, supporting and adjusting the rolls E-and F. Each roll is fixed on a shaft E. The journals E", E of each shaft E are respectively located'in the bearings ings are respectively supported in the said side frames B. Eachof the bearings E9, E slides inits supporting frame; Each upper bearing E is made verticall adjustable by means of a screw Escrew into the lower bearing, this screw E and the nut E? being I 105 located between the upper and lowerbear- The blank of flat sheet metal enters the machine through the guide 1) and is E, E, wluch bear ings, and also by the supplemental screw E9 screwed throhgh the upper portion of frame B and bearing against the u er bearin E, and providedwith a set nut Each s iaft E. has a shoulder E nextone bearing to .prevent said shaft sli ping throu h said bearing, and next to t e opposite caring carries awasher E screwed vonto the shaft E and is in'fact an adjustable shoulder. 'This latter prevents theshaft from slippin through; the adjacent bearing. A series 0' sleeves E, E 5, E "and'E -on each shaft serve to keep the'upper roll.E in alinem'ent with -thelower roll It isto be understood that the preferred a mode of erecting, supportin and, adjusting the succeeding airs of re ls, to. w1t:'-;the rolls H and I o frame B; the rolls K and L of frame'B and the rolls N and P frame B, is exactly like that .just described in relation; to thejrollsE and F. The bar- LB connectin the upper ends of each of the part'sffof eac frame 'B,B?, B and, B is preferably aeontinuous one and extends over all, of said frames.

This bent into-the shape a present.

' "seams ext behind the initia l rolls'E. and F .is I the device G1 for-Flidin "the sheet 'metal blank thus formed or warj tothe succeedin pair of rolls H I. This feeding device consists of a rol er Gr journaled respectively at GP, G, in'the flan dends of a hanger or support G, attache walls G", G; arefpresent sl-idingea'ch; ill-41' groove in a basal-crosspiece Gy-thefllattler ateachend fixed'to its adjacent frame-upright C The upperend portion of. each wall-is slidable in a groove inthe cross-beam G Set bolts'G'l, onefor each wall G,- are By screwin down the nut of the Q set boltG, itwillti itena aiiist the beam v G? and setthe wall of w ich it forms a part. The width oft he space'between the walls; G, Gr can thus beregulated to suit-- the width of the partially bent metal blank,

and is an efficient guide. The partially bent sheet metal blank'now enters between the secondopair of forming rolls H and L- These rolls are duly supportedin the upright frames B B one at, each side of these rolls. The middle portion'Hof the roll H is 'flat and projects beyond the outer or side portions of the periphery; These-side portions are of ivivo shapes; That part H nearestthe midp'artH? inclines slowly" away from the mid H which rapidly *c'dnveXly curves over toward the extended axis of'this roll-and to the adjacent side of this "roll; The peri h-;

I ery ofthe 'roll'l is ingenera'l' concave.v he

- jsi'cent on each'sitle'inclines'upward and oiit-. ward. 'The outerpart' Ifhext to each side' middle portion I is flat-andlthe part If adof ;the'roll does preferably not comefclose to the part'H of the roll Has'does the part 1 and the parts I to their 'opp'osin faces H vice and gui cave curve somewhat fiatand terminating-at the side of the-r0111 at a-distance fromthe roll H and in a planequite be "end the plane of the side of t e roll 'H. hGIOll-I is as shown thicker than the roll'H 'As'the' artially bent blank passes through-this ro Lit shown in Fig. 26.

Fro mjthe'rolls and I',- the bent metal blank passes to the metal tube forming dede, J This consists of a roller.

7 support J,'connectedito.p1ate'J, supported on two standards J, J. The plate J-is.

Q provided on each s'ide'of the'su port J 4 with 6 plate '3" to the standards J J, through .the mtermediate meansof 'theverticalbars J"; extend, respectively through the said: slots a J, JTQandarescrewed into'theirres 'ctive' standards 'J'; 'In furtherance-of this provision for moving the standards J, J nearer a slot '5". Thescrews J'whic connect the together or farther apart, a threaded to a supporting cross beam. G? 1n turn .supported; at each" iendby the frameC, CE. aforementioned. Upright 1J through the le part and 'thenjoinsthe outer part U K, are each bar J is 4 J and le tpresent, whose right hand screw t handscrew J I'BSPGOtIVQlyGH-T .IBVNT :gage the respective female's'crew "n there vented-from sliding by being journaled 'at its {J is enlarged'into a foot or flange, The

standards set in' a grooved guide J, and' this foot :of the standard'extends at thefront andrear'under an adjacent flange J "of the the standards 'can beiseparated" or up J- By duly. rotating the screw ba 1 proximated at will. In 'thisway the width of the space J at the ro'ller'J can be regulated to suit the width, of the bent metal blank; and the-operation of vguiding this blank can bemade very'efiicient.

proper altitude rel ively to the bottom of In order-to alwaxsfheep the roller J at a.

the s ace J", that the imparting of 'a' spe cial s ape to the partially bent sheet "metal blank may be satlsfactorily done, a provi sion for the vertical adjustment of the'roller preferred means is as follows: The plate is directly supportedon the u ri ht bars or pillars J each of which is sli ab e-in that recessJ" 1n its'standard J which holds it (said bar J). Each 1 plate J, is held to. the bars J by the adiacent. one of the screws J A set screw 1 screwed into the pillar abuts against the said vertical bar J. The bars J-?,' J are raised 'or lowered carrying with them the plate J t -and the roller .1, When the desired pos'i tioril ofthe-roller-J? in the spaceJ ihas been secured, each set'screw J is tightened I and the partsare thus fixed'in the proper working position. By this tube forming des vice J, the tube blank formed as shown in Fig 26, is now'so bent that it'takes the shape I shown in Fig. 27. [From devlce J, the bent metalyblank n asses to' the rolls K,' L. The; upper roll K p a as themiddle portion K ofhits periphery flatu Those which are a acent to the middle uite sharply incline away from said portiomK toward and to their parts K, K of the periphery ortion 1-1-5 respective sides of the roll K. This roll K is on each side. provided with an annular.

shoulder K; concentric with the roll, and lforming a. su plemental part oi this r'oll K, Opposed to t is roll K, 1s the roll L. The

"Peripheral portion of, thisroll L" is, in a -L'Y,,-L";of the periphery which are adjacent general sense, concave.- a The middle portion f 1 of the periphery isflat. Those portions to the said portion L? are lrapidly vinclined outwardl and at ,their outer. edges termi nate'in t e concavelydcurved'outwardliex tendin portions L dare- J The annularis ojulf a of-the rollK iareflr'espectively ,oppo-.. 3

- blank is passed between these'rolls K and cross section, of a truncate l eral ,and 'said verticajadjustment are respecblank passes between the rolls N, 1?; The

N N sufliciently wide to impart strengph r to the outer edges of-th'is annular groove it will be formed into a circular tubei Byt thejunction of the meeting, edges ofthis tube is not a perfect one. absolutely close,- For the urposes of form- I actually fneet, but -shall elastically press -'ag ainst each oth er with an emphatic and .sheet metal blank thus bent, passes to thesheet metal bending device M..- In this consides, M M (11f little outwar formingdevice M extends down into this jr'ounded.

v ,for adjusting the central device M higher- 11 of the space-M is present. The preferred vertical adjustment ofthe roller J 2 of the sheet forming device J, and reference is hereby made to those means heretofore fully specified. LAs the bent sheet metal blank roll N is concave, and in section is the -half.

" ing more than a fine line.

can" be made thus fine, and .whereby the site the concave portions L, 'L of .the eriphery of the roll L. As the sheet metal .L, it is caused to assume the shape shown in Fig. 28. From these rolls K and L, the

struction, the space MS through which the tube passes is flat on the bottom M and the this-space extend up and a and are slightly concave. Each side at its upper port1on..M* curves somewhatinwardly as shown. A centralspace and above has sides M, Mf, substantially fiat and vertical, and below terminates in an extension M having the shape, in

cone, inverted I sides and the truncated cone beingslightly .fA rovision for adjusting each side \M, M o the space M soas to render thespace wider or narizewer is prese pt. A p'rovision or lower down relatively to the 'bottom' description of such revisions for said lat tively the same as those for the lateral and passes through this device M, the shape imparted toit'is shown atFig. 29. I I

FromJthe device M, he bent sheet metal middle portion N of the periphery of the of a circle. .-This annular semi-circular, in cross section, groove N 18 boundedby edges The lower rollP ha sian annular groove 1, which'is the exact duplicate of the groove N The lower roll '1 has edges P, P", which are duplicates of the edges N, N- iforementioned. The opening between the rolls is circular. When the bent "sheet metal tube. is passed between these rolls N,and'l,

The junction is not ing aperfect' tube, as w as for enabling the tube to be brazed, the seanr formed by the meeting edges Ofkt-l'le tube should be 'poth- I have devised a mechanism and a mode whereby this'seam meeting edges of the tube shall not only forcible pressure; I will now describe this feature of my invention. I provide al'metal 3 core Q, and connect it to a rod Q by a hinge conneetionQP. This rod I fasten .to a stationary part of the machine, and also locate {it so that as the sheet metal tube is formed, the tube shall close around it and iuclose i t, and as the tube is moved forward it shall move on over the core and receive the latter within it. By these. means, the core is retainedat a given place in the machinc, and cannot be carried thence by the tube which surrounds it. I connect this core to the rod by a hinge-Q, so as to allow thec'ore' to the better accommodate itself to that part of the tube in whichit. is, and so as to prevent it bindin upon the sides of the tube, and by intense riction interfere wvith the desired onward movement of the tube, and with certain operations to vwhich the tubeis subjected at the place where the core is and while the core is .withinit. The preferred place where I fasten'thc rod Q in the machineis at the sheet metal bending device- M aforementioned, and the preferred mode wherein I secure the rod QF-there is as follows: I form an opening throu hthe upper portion of the working part of t iis device M from front to rear. Through this opening I insert the rod Q The free end of this rod has a screw thread Q and onthis end I screw the nut Q. Therod Q extends thence between the rolls N and P, and thence-on to where it is hinged'atQ? to the core Q.' j

The core Q, is combined with mechanism as follows: A cylindrical hollow arbor (J is suported upon the upright frames C. The preerred mode of securing it in place consists,

v, as shown, in setting an extension C of'this frames C. Above,'a broad plate C binds this hollow arbor down inp'lace in these recesses, andwbolts 0 0 extending down from this late 0 and screwed into the respective ramepieces C .0, hold this late C firmly in position. On this arbor C are 'mounted two 'i'ollsrespectively marked R and S. It is to be noted here that the rolls R and S respectively extend through respective 0 enings in the arbor C 'and come into 0 ose juxtaposition to-the core Q- The mechanism for supporting these rolls R and S is substantially the same,'and is as follows: Each housin consists of aslide T, provided with arms" T Each of these arms carries a journal bearing T Between these arms the roll is located and its-journals T, T", each enters the adjacent bearing T. This slide T is slidable in anembracing'frame T. The lower portion of this frame T embraces the arbor 'C and is firmly secured thereto, bymeansof the screw T", which forcibly,

brings together the opposite portions .of the frame T an'd clamps them upon the arbor CF; The upperhalves of the frame T are secured together by a cross bar T bolted thereto. Throughthis cross bar I" is arbor down into recesses C", C of these 3 Each ofthe rol pee-me n 1 s screwed the adjusting rod. '1 whose lower R Q of" the said blank and bendsit down intoend is secured in the upper end ofthe slide the said depression Q2" As the said 'blank T, sothat it can rotatein said slide T'but, continues to'advance, the edge RQ acted v cannot slip out of the latter. The roll carupon by the roll R will rise,'but having been 1 ried in thesl-ide Tcan be advanced toward bent'inwardly, as described, its tendenc'y to 7o the center of thearbor G, or retracted. therespring 'outwardl 4 and away from the opfrom by properl rotating the adjusting posite edge SQ,l 1as been destroyed,.and an 1' rod- T. The rol s R and S are separate elastic tendency to spring'for ward against Y from each other'and the just described mechthe edge portion SQ w'hen in true tubular w anism for supporting and adjustingthe one osition has been created in it. As the said-v5 rollis separate from that for sulppgrting and lank continues to advance, this ed eRQ adjusting the other roll. It wi observed is moved up out of-ithe depression 9 and that the roll Bis inclined in one direction onto the true cylindrical surface of the core,

relatively, to the vertical, and that the roll Q, and the edge portion SQ is brou htover S is inclined in another direction relatively depression Q of the core Q, an as'the 1 to the vertical, each roll making substansaid b ank continues to'rnove forward the tially the same angle on o positesides of a sald edge SQ is brought under the roll -S, vert1ca1 plane. The core 6 extends through and this roll S acts upon this edge SQ and this arbor O. At one side of a vertical bends it down into the'saiddepression ti. lane through the length'of the core Q, the As the said blank continuesto advance, t e atter on its 11 per portion is provided with ed e-portion SQ acted upon by the roll S a depression and farther along, at the -Wil rise, but having been bent inwardly, as otherside-of the said vertical plane, the said described, its tendency to sprin outwardly core on its upper portion is provided with: nd away fromt'heopposite edge ,RQ'has a depression Q; These depressions Q and been destroyed and an elastic tendency to Qare sha ed substantially as shown, and sprm forward against the edge p'ortionBQ jare'preferably connected at Q". That pora tea y acted 12011 by a roll R, has {been tion of the core Q which-has the depression created in it. the said. tubular blank Q is so located in the arbor C with relation ,eontlnues to advance, the edge portion SQ 7 to the roll R, that the latter will be opposite 1s moved, out of this de ression Q, and is the'mid-length ortion ofithe depression Q, brought upon the true cy indrical surface of of the core. 'I. e roll. S is. also so located the core Q." The edge portions HQ and SQ, 1 'that'it Will be opposite'the mid-length porare now close against each other at their .tion of the depression. Q7 of the core Q, meeting edges, and there is not only no the roll that only a substance of the thick are pressing a ainst each other,' vgith elastic v ness of the sheet metal of the tube cancome force'- The tu e is now successfully manubetweehthe roll and th bottom of that d'e} d, nd i a compl e t n will pression in the core Q that is beneath the bear the ordinary manipulations incident to ijsaid roll. The' mode in which-these features the turningof it down, the olishin of it, 1 5 r, i

of my invention operate is as follows {The and other manipulations 0 [menu actnre. ben't'sheet metal blank comingflfrom the rolls Its form in cross section is indicated in Figs. 1 K and L,passes through the tubeforming 20 and 33 the tube there being marked X. v device'Mand on to the rolls N and R. a The ;It' should be here noted that leaving the n 45 to of the bent blank is yet 0 n 'ahd the edges of the sheet metal blank flat, square ro dfi connected tothe core is received a not ch f b f r the sheet metal into-the interior space within thesaid'blank; iblank asses 'betweenthe rollsN and P en- 1 The said. blank travels through therolls N 'abl'eis e edge portions-of the tubular blank v and P, and'isthere bent intoa cir ular tube to resist pressure; andthe better enables the s R and S comes so close to space between such edges, but the said edges *1 v 50' whichencircles the rod Q As thisjno'w' "metal to flow out, that i'sfto conform to the 1 15 tubular, blank is".'adva'nced it jreceives the walls'gf the said'roll N and Pl core Q, and moves on over'this and comes to. a The screws T Tt-enable the roll R orS, the de' ression Q, of? the core. It will'beas'the case ina 'be,to be'advanced or reremem ef'edthat the edges of this: tubular trattedaelative y the bottomof the de- 55 blank-,-do-. n,ot,;fully meet,6r if-meeting do presslon it is opposite, and to be ad'usted pressure as isfdesirable to have themfdo, in to act upona thic 'Anot'press against "one anotherywith any such not only to take up wear, but to be ad usted er or thinner sheet metal order tohav'eflthe n make aperfectand d11- accordin'g to'the thickness of the metal emralo1e".-union, when afterward brazed to; "ployed in the manufactur e-ofthe blank.

to gethr. Thea-condition and 'formlof this -"Inthefiner g'radesof 'sheetmetal tubing 12(5 %lllg r iblank is illustrated {in 17. itisdesirable to brazetherneetingedges 0 Y en this tubular blank comes to t is de-'. the tube, for'amonggother -reasons, so that ressiori, that/e e par-eon RQ ofgthe said neither -of 'the said dd escan'be, by local" L lank isover the pie'ssibnQigAsithe said. 'Ipiessure,'be'nt down: an out'of-the true cine,

that at the junction of these edges the tube shall be substantiallyas strong as at other portions of it. I

The sheet metal blank fed to the machine is a stripusually cut from a broad sheet of metal, and on each edge there is *usually I found a slight bur. Th1s bur is located on one side of each edge, and usually on the same side. Also on that side of the edge opposite where the bur is located, the metal is slightly diminished. In feeding the strip of metal to the tube forming machine, the strip is laid down so that the sides of the edges which carry the burs are undermost.

As the tube is formed, the burs are turned in making a very slight extension Z 'on the inside of thetube at the seam, and a 'very slight depression Z on the outside of the, tube at the seam, seeFi 33. Y I have devised 'ava uable and most efiicient means for preparing the meeting'edges ofthe tube X for the reception of .the brazcompound. These means are as follows:

in After the tube has been completed, it isadvanced to-a roll V having a thin. eripheral edge V ada ted to enter the slig t shallow groove Z at t v e meeting edges of the tube X; This roll V is supported upon mechanism that allows it'to alter its position so that the and at the rear of it, is a scarfin the corners diagonally." Then when the tube is formed, there will be at its forward end a \I-shaped recess Z see the up erend of the tube in Fi 35. Obviously w en the sharp bead V of the roll V meets this recess Z, the latter will guide the said bead V to and- 'into the said hollow groove Z of the seam Z.

Once in the. said groove, the bead- V will follow it until the entire metal blank has been formed into a tube and haspassed outv from the machine. Connected to this roll V tool WV, whose knife enters the groove Z -0 the seam Z. The core Q, extends under this scarfing tool W to give a support to the tube where this tool bears against it.

The frame that holds the roll 'V and the v frame that holds the cutting (scarfing) knife are rigidly connected together',so that the'osci-llation of the guide roll V- as it finds thekgroove Z of the seam Z and follows the same is communicated to the scarfing tool WL' Therefore the scarfing tool W isalways in' alinement with the guide V, and will always workaccuratelyfand scarf both edges of the roove Z of the seam Z alike. This result 0 this scarfing is shown in Figs. 23 and 34. By. this operation, thexedges of the seam are each scarfed so that a V-shaped groove ispresent in the outer part-of the seam and such a V-shaped groove I indicate by the character Z. But the edges of the seam Z are not scarfed forv their entire depth, but the inner portion of each edge at Z, see Fig. 34, is left fiat as in the original edge 'of the metal blank, and these edges .here coming together make a close joint and support each other. Into this groove the brazing compound is introduced and the brazing operation is duly finished.

The preferred nieans'for carrying the roll V, V 1s similar to those employed to carry the rollsR and S respectively. There is present a two part clampframe T, T,

located on an arbor such as C and in the present illustrative instance, the arbor C is continued from the frames of the rolls R and S on through this clamp frame of the roll V, V The clamp frame is secured to the arbor by the screwaT", but the frictional pressure is not so great as-to prevent the clamp frame from being rotatable on the The upper ends of the frame T, T? are secured together by the bar T, bolted thereto. Within the frame is a slide T, slidable in .the frame T T andwhose arms T", T,

respectivelydiave the journal-bearings T,

T which latter respectively engage the journals T'*, T of tlie roll V, V". An adjusting screw T is p eseiit, connected to the slide T, as it is in the device show-n in Fig. 14, and serves to elevate and depress'thc roll V, V? the desired distance. A set screw T" in a slot T limits the vertical movement of the slide T; a

As to the preferred mechanism for carrying the scarfing tool W, this tool W is mounted in the frame T, T, with nut T, which carries the guide roll V, V but this scarfing tool VV is provided with its own slide holder T and adjustin screw T A projection T fixed to the rame T T, is provided with a recess T, and within this .recess is a screw stud T fixed to the stationary. arbor C. *{Ihe oscillation of the frame T, T", T is limited by the width of the recess T in which the screw stud T moves.

There are obviously great advantages in imparting the elastic spring to the ed e portions of the tube so that they wil meet' squarely and press hard against one another. There is also obviously a marked advantage in scarfing the-edges of the seam Z after the edges have received such an elastic'pressure towardeach other and in'alinement with each other. Where the edges of the,

sheetmetal blank are scarfedwhile/yet in its condition of a fiat metal sheet, thedifli- Fig. 34.

'10 m crosssection and marked Blank D is not changed in passingthroughthis guide D. The said metal blank next passes th e'roll's E and F and receid es the shape in cross" section shown in the'I-bla'nk marked BlanktEF,

ia ri zes; The-said blank thus formed passes.

" Without changethrou' h passes between the ro ls ceives. the she in the Blank uide G. It thenj and I, and *re shown in cross section shown I of Fig. 26; It then passes 1 throu h the-donning guide J and acquires the s ape in cross section shown 'by the blank marked Blank. J, Fig: 27. It then passes throughthe forming rolls K, L, and 'recei\ res the'sha'pe shown .in cross section in .55} the blank marked Blank' KL, Fig. 28." It flnext passes throu h theforming guide M, [and rece'iyes the rape shown in cross sec- {tion in the blank marked- Blank M. Fig. 29.

Eli-t next'passes through the rolls N, P, and it 3. formed into the tubularsha e shown in cross section bythe blank marke Blank :NP,

Fig. This tubular blank is now subjected to the action of roll .R, and-' while under said roll acquire s the shape shown in 3 cross section by the BlankiR, of Fig. 31,-but

this edge portion of the-tube which is depressed is moved outwardly by the core and 1s received u on the cylindrical surface of the latter..' I Q jected to the action of the roll S, and while his tubular blank is .now subunder said roll is bent to the sha e shown in cross sect-ion, as shown bythe lank S,- of Pi 32. This tubular blank is now subjected to the action of the core Q, and the cylindrical portion of the core succeeding the said depressions Q. and QZ r eceives the tube and brings the two edges of the tube opposite one'another, and 'cafisesthe' blank to assume the shape'shown incros's section,

as shown by the blank marked BlankQ, which latter is a perfect tube, with the edges of theseam Z, F1g."33, in contact and exerting a] pressure toward each other. This blank is ,now subjected to the action of the 'scarfing knife w, guided by" the roll -v, w

in the slight .shallow. depression Z in the upper' part of theseamZ, andthe outer portions of the edges of the blank" at the seam, "are scarfe-d, leavin V -shaped'groove. Z at the outer part0 the seam of the tube X,

. .thainne part of the seamof the-said tube X p being t e e se seam Z heretofore mentioned,

is blank thus made I have marked Blank Wfand it is'shown Fig. 34..

rmidlength ortion is notmtrteri'allybent and the metal t are is yet soft. Un er the action ofthe rolls N,'P, this Blank is shaped into Fig. 30, Blank NP. Iii-this operatlon, the upper end-portions of the blank, Fig. 30, contain as ace of larger radius than that of'the comp eted tube, and being the weaker parts because not braced at all against side pressure come together first. The soft mid-, e'ngth assistsinenabling the circular shape (in cross sectionyto be readily attained. I g The soft metal/at the midlengthor bottom of the blank first conforms to the action of he brace so to speak, whereby thesides ofv the blank arejforce'd and bentinto conforma; tion with the sides of the operating space of these'rolls N and PT 1 The metal blank shownfinv Fig. 35 is to be run entirely through the machinebefore the parts of. it assume" the completed condition ofthe' part shown'atW, 34. n. It w ll be understoodwit out further re- "mark, that metal strips of a length much greater thanthat of the machine can be manufactured into tubing by beingv run into' and through themachine. 1 T It will be obvious from the above descrip tion that my invention is capable of. considerable modification withoutmateaiial departime from the rinciplesand spirit of the same, andfor t is reason 'I do not wish tobe understood as limitingmyself to the precise form .and'arrangement of the device." herein set forth in carrying out my'inyem tion in practice. r What I claim as "new, and-of my inven- 1 tion and. desire to secure by Letters'Patent,

1s:-- .7 ail. In a tubeimakin machine, the combination with means %or bending .a sheet metal blank. into 'a tubular shape, of a core provided with a depression into which one 'edge 7 ortionof the tube is pressed, and ,provi ed with a sucoeedingde ressioninto .which the other edge ofthe tu is pressed,

and arollforbendmg the "first named edge p I A ortion into the'firstfdepression, and a roll gor next-bending'the opposite ed e portion of the said tubular blank into t e'second depression, the core being cylindrical atthe fartherend' of thedep essions to elevate the edge portions after being depressed; 1 32. In a tube makingmachlne, the com-w bination of a air 'of rolls adapted to bend the metal blan intoa tubular shape, acore anda guidingro'd thereto, the 'ide extended between the said rolls, and in'g) adapted to-be embraced with-inthetubulaxf lank and tthe corekbein adapted to be within the said L tu bul'ar blan the core beingairovided' with a depression into which one ge portion pf the tubular blank .is pressed, and provided 'with a succeedingdepression into which the Y By the conforn'ration shdwn in Fig. 25, the

the rollsandbecome's circular and then forms ,loci

"opposite edgeportion of the tube is pressed,

and a roll for bending the first named edge portion into the firstdepressionfand a roll for bending the second named edge portion:

into the second depression, the core being cylindrical at the farther end of the deprcs;

sions to elevate the edge'portions after being depressed. i

- to be scarfed.

3. In a tube making machine, the combination-,of a, pair of rolls, adapted to bend the blank into a. tubular shape, a core and a rod coupled thereto, the rod being connected to the machine inadvanceof the rolls,and extending rearward between said rolls, and a core provided .with twodep'ressions,one after the other, ;a roll beingopposite each of said depressions, the rod and core being adapted to be received and to be. within the tubular blank as it comes from said first named pair of rolls, and the roll,

opposite its said, depressionof the core, adapted to press an edge portion of the blank therein, and the roll opposite the other said depression of the core adapted to press the opposite edge portion of the-blank therein.

4. In a tube making machine, the combinationof a pair of rolls adapted to bend theblank into a tubular shape, a device preceding this pair of rolls and'adapted to partially shape the said 'blank, a core pro vided with two depressions, the one succeeding the other,jand a roll opposite each depression, the-one of these last named rolls adapted to press one I edge portion of the tubular blank into one of these depressions for shaping the'sheet metal blank into a,

tube,and a device for scarfing the edges of theseam of the tube and consisting of a roll and a scarfing tool, the roll provided with a peripheral slrar bead adapted to enter the outer portion 0 the seam, a support fonthe roll adapted to allow the roll tochange its position so that. the plane'of the roll shall 7 pass through the axis of the tube, the scarfing tool being connected to the frame of the said roll, nd altering its positionas the rolldoes, rzlatively to the seam of the tube 6. In a tube shaping machine, mechanism adapted to shape a sheet metal blank into a tube, and a device for scarfing the said I tube consisting of a carriage and a roll pro- I vided with a sharp peripheral bead adapted- I to ent'eband' follow the seam of'the tube,

and a scarfing knife located after the roll and with connection therefor 'with the car Q space ,riage of the roll, said connections adapted to compel the said scarfing knife to change its position with the said roll, and thus follow in the said seam, and scarf its edges.

' 7. In a tube shaping machine, mechanism 7 adapted to shape a sheetmetalfi'blank into a tube, and a device for scarfing the said tube, consisting of a roll provided with a sharp peripheral bead adapted to enter and follow the outer portion of the seam of the tube,,and a scarfing knife, and a carriage for the roll with means to allow the roll to shift transversely to enter and to follow the said seam, and the said scarfing knife connected to the said carriage and adapted to follow in the seamand to scarf the outer edges thereof.

8. In a tube shaping machine, mechanism adapted to sha e a sheet metal blank into a tube, a device or scarfing the said tube con- 8 sisting of a carriage, a roll provided with a sharp peripheral bead ada ted to enter and follow theseam of the tn e and means to allow the roll to shift transversely, and a searfing knife located after the roll and 9 with connection therefor with the carriage of the roll, said connections adapted'to compel the said scarfin knife to chan e its position with the sai roll, and thus ollow* in the said seam, and scarf the edges. 9 9. In a tube making machine, a device for partially forming theblank, comprising a form having a space provided with a at bottom, sides first inclined outward and then proceeding in an almost vertical direction. in 1 lines sli htly curved, and a roll centrally located a ove the said flat bottom, and whose periphery is somewhat wide'r than said flat ottom, and means for adjustin the Width of said s ace, and means for a justing the 1 height 0? the said roll relatively to the bottom of the form. I

10. In a tube making machine, a device for partially forming the said sheet metal blank 1nto a tubular form and consisting of two 1 upright parts respectively located 111 slides, and a right arid left hand screw secured to a stationary art of the machine, the right and lefthand screws respectively engagm the respective upri ht parts, and a apte 1 too approximate'an separate said upri ht, parts, eachof these upright parts provi ed with one duplicate half of the space, whose boundary surface participates in the formation of the sheet metal blank, each'of these 1 upright parts having a recess, and a, vertical rod sliding therein and a set screw for re ulating the elevation of the said vertical r0 a device in the said space for assisting in the conformation of the said metal blank, a support for said device, this support being connected to the said vertical rods, and thus providing means for elevating and lowering the said forming device located in the sin 1 Hi In a tube making machine, a device for partially forming the blank, comprising ,a form havin a space Whose bottom is narrow'fr0mr1ght to left, and whose sides incline upward and slightly outward] fortwo thirds of ,tl1l1\6Xtnl'/, and forthe remaining third extending more rapidly inward *and being for the whole of their extent curved, and'a central device located in such space having straight sides as far apart as the bottom (tithe said spaceis wide, andhaving; below aninvertedtruncated -cone whose lower end is rounded.

12. Ina tube making machine, a device- 115.

for partially'forming the blank, comprising a form having a -space whose bottom is narrow from rlght to left, and whose sides incline ,u wardand slightly outward for two -thirds 0 their extent and for the remaining third extendmoife rapidly inward and being 'for the whole of their extent curved, and a;

central device located in such space having straight sides as far apart the bottomiof the said space is wide, and having below an inverted truncated" cone whose lower end is rounded, means for adjusting the width of the said space and means for adjusting the height of the said central device, substantially as and for the purposes specified.

' 13.'In a tube forming machine, a core adapted to take over it the tubularly. formed blank, the core having two depressions succeeding oneanother, and two rolls respectively opposite such depressions, a hollow arbor, having a central passage through it,

and in which passage the said core is located, "andthrough which passage the said tubular blank embracing the core can pass, the arbor having spaces through which the said rolls respectively extend to the core, each roll provided with a carriage independentof-the other carriage, each carriage having a two part frame surrounding the arbor and secured together at the arbor by a screw, the two part frame secured togetherat its upper end, a slide within said frame slidable therein, and carrying the roll duly journaled therein, an ad'usting screw engaging the said frame and connected' to the said s1ide,th e mechanism thus' eimitting of-the plane of the roll ,.being-shi ed so that its plape shall change its angle relatively to the horizontal, and also permitting of the advance and retractlonfof the roll to and from the core. a

14. In a tube forming n1achine,, a core adapted to take over it thetubularly formed blank, the core having two depressions suc'-, ceeding one another, and two ,rolls res ectively opposite such depressions, a ho low arbor, havinga, centralpassage through 1t, and in which passage the said core s located, and through which passage the said tubular blank embracing the core can pass, arbor having spaceslthr'ough which thesald rolls respectively extend to the core, each rollprovided with acarriage independent of the other carriage, and means for changing the angle at WhlCh the plane of the roll meets the core, and means for adjusting the roll nearer to and farther from the said core. a a 15. In a tube forming mechanism, the roll having a sharp bead adapted toenter the "outerportion 'ofthe seam oflthe tube, a scarfing tool for cutting the edges of the outer portion of said scam, the saidrolland scarfing tool being connected, so as to oscillatearounda 'commonsup ort, means for ad va'ncmg and retractlng t e roll and means for advancing andretracting' the said scarfa i. "so a tube forming mechanism, the roll said passageway, a two part frame adapted to embrace the arbor, and fastened thereto,

but capable of rotating thereon, the scarfing .tool and the roll being connected to this frame, a slide in the latter carryingthe roll and 'a screw for advancin and retracting the rollto and from the ,tri e, a slide in thefraine carryingthe sca'rfing tool, and a;screw tool to andfrom the tube.

for advancing and retracting the scarfing 17. In a tube forming mechanism, roll 7 for forming the blank into a tubular form, a eiiore androd coupled to ether, the rod fas; tened in advance of sai rolls, and passing between them, the rod andcore adapted to be received within the tube as-the sheet metal is folded'arourid them whil being formed, into a tube, an arbor having a central assagewain which-issaid core and whic is adapte to receive the said tube. as -it'is passed on over the core, the core having two depressions succeedingone another, two rolls mounted to extend-through sald arbor and respectively opposite said depressions, a roll provided with a sharp \kshaped bead, and a scarfing knife located after the roll, this roll 4 and said knife extending through said arbor v and near to said core, and a carriage for sai roll and knife adapted to turn upon the said arbor.

nation of a guiderollxwhose' narrow sharp peripheral bead fits into the seam 0mm tube, a

thecarriage of the roll adapted to alter-its nclination to permit the roll to follow in 51116.

seam, and ascarfing knife, attachedto said carriage, and followin said roll and.adapt-' ed to scarf the edge 0' saidse'a m, to the-desired depth,

19. In a tube foi'ming machine, means for 18. In a tube finishing machine, the combifeedinga transverselj bent tnbular blank, a

mandrel having longitudinal non-alining depressions corresponding with the adjacent 4 edges of the blank and means for flexing the edges into said depressions, for the purpose set forth.

' 20.- Ina tube formin machine, means forv feeding a transversely ent 'ti'ibular blank, a

mandrel having longitudinal 'non alining depressio'ns {in sequence and corresponding with the adjacenfiedges of the blank and ma'nsjor flexing the edges into said depressions, for I the'pnrpose set forth.

21'. In. a tube forming machine, means for.

feeding a transverselybent tubular blank, a

:mandrel having longltudinal non-alining depressions corresponding with. the adjacent;

, feeding a transversel edges of the blank and means for flexing the edges into said depressions, with means for pressions insequencc and corresponding with the adj avent edges of the blank and means for flexing the edges into said depressions, with means for restoring the edfges to normal position, for the purpose set orth.

HENRY HIGGIN.

Attest; ALBERT SnooKLEY, K. SMITH. 

